Fencing the yard is NOT being mean to your dogs. I agree that it is the safe, wise thing to do. For years when we just had Oreo and even Dazzi we did not have a fenced part of the yard. Now that we have five we do have a fenced area for them. But the point was that even with just Oreo, there were times when no matter how careful we were, she got away from us. And no matter how quiet your neighborhood is, it only takes one car to kill a dog, She was never hit but I still feel much safer having the fence,then when we didn't.